Using County-Level Health Data to Examine the Social Determinants of Health

Abstract

This assignment prompts students to apply understandings of the social determinants of health to analysis of publically available socioeconomic and health data, with the ultimate goal of encouraging students to critically engage in and personally relate to course material. Students are asked to use data from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Medical Sociology

Resource Type(s):

Assessment

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

Prior to assigning this prompt, I hold 2-3 class sessions that include both lecture and in-class discussion on the social determinants of health. I introduce Link & Phelan's fundamental cause theory, which states that social conditions, particularly socioeconomic status, have persistent effects on population health across historical time, though the...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Apply understanding of the social determinants of health to analyze publically available, county-level data on socioeconomic conditions and health in the U.S.
2. Relate findings of the links between socioeconomic conditions and health to individual experience and observations within their chosen county.
3. Propose interventions that would be most effective in improving public health.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Students are prompted to explore, interpret, and write a report of county-level socioeconomic and health data, using credible sources to link evidence to literature on social determinants of health.
2. Students are prompted to reflect on how data analysis relates to experience and observations, using credible sources to support observations where appropriate.
3. Based on data analysis, personal reflection, and credible sources, students are prompted to conclude by considering policy solutions to health disparities in their county.